In my role as a United States Congressman, I have the honor of nominating young men and women from Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District to attend the United States Service Academies. I am pleased to announce the application process for this year’s academies has begun, and I encourage students in my district to apply for this great chance to serve our country.

Each academy offers a free college education at a highly-ranked, nationally-recognized institute, while preparing them for an officer’s commission in one of the branches of the armed forces. There are four service academies that require a congressional nomination, including the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, the Military Academy and the Naval Academy. The fifth academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, doesn’t require a Congressional nomination.

To be nominated, students must be between the ages of 17 and 23. Additionally they must be a U.S. citizen at the time the student enters the academy, unmarried with no legal obligation to support a child or dependent, and a legal resident of the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma. The deadline for accepting applications is October 15, 2013, and personal interviews will be held in November.

If you have more questions about this process or are interested in applying, please contact Allison Litterell in my district office at (405) 373-1958, or you can visit my Web site at /service-academy-nominations.

I think this is a great opportunity for young Third District Oklahomans, and I look forward to announcing the nominees later on this year.